When slumping to 4/6 on Sunday, there was a chance Dubbo’s Brewery Shield side could have capitulated and suffered a humiliating loss at Narromine.
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But rather than panic, the team relied on a relaxed and positive vibe developed in recent years and dug itself out of trouble before downing the defending premiers by three wickets.
It was a strong opening round showing from the Dubbo team, which is now captained by Angus Norton and features plenty of new faces.
“There’s a good vibe around. Even when we were 4/6,” Norton said.
“Everyone stayed up and we were just happy. I’ve played for plenty of teams before that would have been all out for 20 in that situation but everyone stayed up and everyone was cheering.”
Much of the cheering was for Tom Barber, who made a team-high 59 in the successful run chase, while Bailey Edmunds (38 not out) and Justin Knudsen (23) also played key roles.
Dubbo passed Narromine’s total of 135 in the 32nd over.
The three top-scorers were singled out by Norton as the three match-winners.
Barber and Knudsen held things together after the early collapse while Edmunds produced a fine all-round performance.
As well as his efforts with the bat, Edmunds took a brilliant 3/1 from five overs with the ball. Just a day after taking a hat-trick for CYMS, the only run Edmunds conceded in his spell on Sunday came from a wide.
It marked a welcome return to the Brewery Shield for Edmunds, who was the last man out when Dubbo lost to Narromine in last season’s gripping semi-final.
“Last year he was pretty down with how it ended … he took it to heart and he had mentioned it to me during the week,” Norton said of Edmunds.
“I told him to leave it in the past but I think he used it as a fuel instead. He bowled five overs and just one wide so effectively he bowled 30 dot balls. That’s a great performance and then he backed it up with the bat.”
I’ve played for plenty of teams before that would have been all out for 20 in that situation.
- Dubbo captain Angus Norton
Edmunds was the star with the ball but there were few weak links.
Norton won the toss and opted to bowl, and that decision was soon justified.
Mitch Lincoln took a wicket in his first over and 40 was added for the second wicket, things didn’t go well for Narromine from there.
Edmunds ripped through the middle order while Mitch Ashford (2/32) and Callum Watson (2/24) also impressed.
Greg Kerr top-scored for the hosts with 27 while with the ball, Bart Goodman took 3/31.
Goodman was the one who removed Barber shortly after he made his half century but the bulk of the run chase was done by that point.
“I think it was pretty important (to win the first game) but it was the new fellas who brought confidence into the game,” Norton said after winning his first game as a Dubbo representative captain.
“It was really pleasing and there was a lot of new guys and guys who hadn’t had a lot of opportunity before.
“The boys backed me and did everything I asked of them to the best of their ability.”
Dubbo will next play host to Wellington on November 4.
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